The rally — one month after the black teen's death — is due to begin at 4 p.m. ET and end with those thousands gathered outside the city's civic center as the Sanford City Commission meets to hear from the 17-year-old Martin's parents.

Martin, who was unarmed, was shot and killed on Feb. 26 by 28-year-old George Zimmerman in what the older man claims was a case of self defense. Martin's family and supporters — and now a growing number of people across the nation — say it was a case of racial profiling and that Zimmerman only assumed Martin was "suspicious" and followed him through the neighborhood because the teenager was black.

Today, the Sentinel adds, a "friend and legal advisor each appeared on national television news shows" to defend Zimmerman. "Joe Oliver told Good Morning America co-host George Stephanopoulos that Zimmerman is not a racist. ... Zimmerman's legal advisor, Craig Sonner, told [Today Show co-host Ann] Curry that the 28-year-old Neighborhood Watch captain suffered a broken nose and injury on the back of his head during the altercation with 17-year-old Trayvon. Sonner said when all the evidence is public, it will show Zimmerman acted in self defense."

Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime. He has not commented publicly on the case.